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House Votes to Expand Stem Cell Research

May 24, 2005 -- House lawmakers gave broad bipartisan backing to the expansion of federally funded embryonic stem cell research Tuesday despite President Bush's vow to veto the bill.

In a separate action, lawmakers also overwhelmingly approved a less controversial bill promoting the study and use of stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood, which has already been used to treat leukemia and other blood disorders.

After an emotional debate, members voted 238-194 to override rules laid down by Bush in August 2001 that limited government research dollars to stem cell lines already derived at the time.

The bill lifts an Aug. 9, 2001, deadline and makes cell lines derived after that date eligible for taxpayer-funded research. An estimated 125 additional stem cell lines as well as future lines derived from embryos left over by in vitro fertilization procedures would fall under the expanded policy.

As many as 400,000 human embryos are stored in freezers at U.S. in vitro fertilization clinics. Donor parents would be able to provide excess embryos for research as long as they provided written informed consent and accepted no money for their use, according to the bill.

The bill received strong backing from scientific and research advocacy organizations, many of which have criticized the White House policy as too restrictive. But the bill remains staunchly opposed by pro-life lawmakers, who warn that the research is unethical because human embryos must be destroyed in order to allow the collection of stem cells.

Argument Over Stem Cell Potential

Many researchers predict that embryonic stem cells have the potential to cure a variety of diseases because they have the ability to transform into any type of cell.

The embryonic stem cells have yet to lead to any cures but have been pegged as potential treatments for type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cancers, and other disorders.

"This bill will not in and of itself cure any diseases. But it will open the door," says Rep. Dianna DeGette (D-Colo.) one of the bill's co-authors.

The bill came to the House floor despite opposition from Republican leaders, who agreed several months ago to allow a vote on research that had the support of the majority of voters and members of Congress. Fifty Republicans went against Bush in supporting the measure.